appearance
Americannoun
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the act or fact of appearing, as to the eye or mind or before the public.
the unannounced appearance of dinner guests; the last appearance of Caruso in Aïda; her first appearance at a stockholders' meeting.
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the state, condition, manner, or style in which a person or object appears; outward look or aspect.
a table of antique appearance; a man of noble appearance.
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outward show or seeming; semblance.
to avoid the appearance of coveting an honor.
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Law. the coming into court of either party to a suit or action.
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appearances, outward impressions, indications, or circumstances.
By all appearances, he enjoyed himself.
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Philosophy. the sensory, or phenomenal, aspect of existence to an observer.
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Archaic. an apparition.
idioms
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make an appearance, to come; arrive.
He didn't make an appearance until after midnight.
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put in an appearance, to attend a gathering or meeting, especially for a very short time.
The author put in an appearance at the cocktail party on her way to dinner.
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keep up appearances, to maintain a public impression of decorum, prosperity, etc., despite reverses, unfavorable conditions, etc..
They tried to keep up appearances after losing all their money.
noun
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the act or an instance of appearing, as to the eye, before the public, etc
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the outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
her appearance was stunning
it has the appearance of powdered graphite
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an outward show; pretence
he gave an appearance of working hard
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(often plural) one of the outward signs or indications by which a person or thing is assessed
first appearances are deceptive
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law
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the formal attendance in court of a party in an action
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formal notice that a party or his legal representative intends to maintain or contest the issue
to enter an appearance
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philosophy
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the outward or phenomenal manifestation of things
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the world as revealed by the senses, as opposed to its real nature Compare reality
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to maintain the public impression of wellbeing or normality
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to come or attend briefly, as out of politeness
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to the extent that can easily be judged; apparently
Related Words
Appearance, aspect, guise refer to the way in which something outwardly presents itself to view. Appearance refers to the outward look: the shabby appearance of his car. Aspect refers to the appearance at some particular time or in special circumstances; it often has emotional implications, either ascribed to the object itself or felt by the beholder: In the dusk the forest had a terrifying aspect. Guise suggests a misleading appearance, assumed for an occasion or a purpose: under the guise of friendship.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of appearance
First recorded in 1350–1400; appear + -ance; replacing Middle English aparance, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Late Latin appārentia, neuter plural of Latin appārēns apparent
Explanation
Your appearance is how you look: your clothes, hair, facial expression, skin tone, and posture all factor into your overall appearance. Ever had to go somewhere you didn't want to go? If you stopped by just briefly, you made an appearance. But this word more often has to do with how things look. Your appearance is created by everything people can see, from your hair down to your shoes. Sometimes appearances can be deceiving: maybe you give an appearance of confidence, but you're really nervous inside. The saying "don't judge a book by its cover" means "don't judge by appearances."
Vocabulary lists containing appearance
Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
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"Heart Beat" and "Behind the Bulk"
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Part 1 Vocabulary (Unit 4)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The firm adds, “If you cover a sector, you should not participate in prediction markets about a company in that sector. Appearance matters.”
From Barron's • May 7, 2026
Appearance after appearance, he soaked up the love from adoring crowds.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2025
As the Bulwark’s Will Sommer reported on X, some cheeky progressive satirized this by mocking up a fake poster for TPUSA’s halftime show, which promised Kid Rock, Ted Nugent and “a Guest Appearance by Measles.”
From Salon • Oct. 15, 2025
NOvA, short for NuMI Off-axis νe Appearance, is an experiment managed by the U.S.
From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2024
They also built new Baths, very proper and commodious, and the Structure makes a handsome Appearance.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
